ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
President's Secretariat
President of India to visit Tripura on June 7 and 8, 2018
The President of India, Shri Ram NathKovind, will visit Tripura on June 7 and 8, 2018. This will be his first visit to Tripura as the President of India and the 26th state visited by him since he assumed office as the President of India.
On June 7, 2018, the President will inaugurate the National Highway from Matabari to Sabroom in Udaipur. He will also lay the foundation stone for the re-development of Matabari Temple complex in Udaipur. On the same evening, the President will attend a civic reception hosted by the Government of Tripura in his honour and the declarement tothe Queen Pineapple as the State Fruit of Tripura in Agartala.
The President will return to Delhi in the morning of June 8, 2018.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates G. Sathiyan, Harmeet Desai, Sharat Kamal and Sanil Shetty for winning Gold medal in Table Tennis at CWG 2022
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated G. Sathiyan, Harmeet Desai, Sharat Kamal and Sanil Shetty for winning the Gold medal in Table Tennis at the CWG 2022 in Birmingham.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Great news in Table Tennis! Congratulations to the dynamic team of G. Sathiyan, Harmeet Desai, Sharat Kamal and Sanil Shetty for winning the Gold medal at the CWG. This team has set high benchmarks, be it in skill or determination. Best wishes for their future endeavours."
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Indigenous Procurement of Ethanol
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has published an ‘Ethanol Procurement Policy on a long term basis under Ethanol Blended Petrol  Programme’ on 11th October 2019 which broadly covers the modalities for long term procurement of ethanol, proposed mechanism for long term procurement contracts, pricing methodology, etc.
Currently the major sources of ethanol procurement are sugarcane juice, sugar, sugar syrup, B-heavy molasses, C-heavy molasses, Damaged food grains unfit for human consumption, surplus rice available with Food Corporation of India  and maize.
The total quantity of ethanol procured during the last 5 years by the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies  are as under:
|
|
Ethanol Supply Year|
|
2015-16
|
|
2016-17
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
Quantity procured

|
|
111.4
|
|
66.5
|
|
150.5
|
|
188.6
|
|
173.0ESY is from 1st December of a year to 30th November of the next year
This information was given by the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 208.31 Cr
Over 3.97 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 1,11,252
8,813 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.56%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 4.79%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 208.31 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,76,96,728 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 3.97 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10413088
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10098987
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6564089
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18432934
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17685279
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
12751508
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
39774706
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
29178992
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
61474348
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
51775801
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
560065392
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
511077925
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
42032623
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
203800686
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
195830804
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
25548833
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127516770
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
122395922
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
36706007
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
12,36,03,060
|
|
Total
|
|
2,08,31,24,694
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 1,11,252. Active cases now constitute 0.25% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.56%. 15,040 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,36,38,844.
15,040 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 2,12,129 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 88.06 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 4.79% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 4.15%.
Ministry of Mines
Major Amendments in Mineral Laws to Ensure Transparency
The Government has taken up major amendments in mineral laws since 2015 to meet the changing need of the mineral sector. The Mines and Minerals   Act, 1957 was amended in 2015 to remove discretion and bring in utmost transparency for the grant of mineral concessions; simplification of procedures and removal of delay; and for ensuring enhanced revenue from the mineral resources for the Government. Through the said amendment, the auction regime was introduced for grant of mineral concessions. Further, in order to ensure that benefit of mining reaches the persons, and areas affected by mining related operations, provision was incorporated for establishing District Mineral Foundation. Provision was also incorporated for establishing National Mineral Exploration Trust for the purposes of boosting exploration in the country.
The Ministry of Mines has further amended MMDR Act, 1957 with effect from 28.03.2021. The objectives of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2021 inter alia are increasing mineral production and time bound operationalization of mines, increasing employment and investment in the mining sector, maintaining continuity in mining operations after change of lessee and increasing the pace of exploration and auction of mineral resources. These reforms will ensure self-sufficiency in mineral requirement of the country.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
53 airports are included under Krishi Udan Scheme
1,08,479 Metric Tonne perishable cargo handled in FY 2021-22 
Krishi Udan Scheme was launched in August, 2020 on international and national routes to assist farmers in transporting agricultural products so that it improves their value realization. Krishi Udan 2.0 was announced in October, 2021 enhancing the existing provisions, mainly focusing on transporting perishable food products from the hilly areas, North-Eastern States and tribal areas. Primarily the scheme was focusing on 25 airports of North-Eastern Region, Hilly and Tribal region namely Agartala, Agatti, Barapani, Dehradun, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Gaggal, Imphal, Jammu, Jorhat, Kullu , Leh, Lengpui, Lilabari, Pakyong, Pantnagar, Pithoragarh, Port Blair, Raipur, Ranchi, Rupsi, Shimla, Silchar, Srinagar and Tezu. Subsequently, other 28 AAI airports, namely, Adampur , Agra, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bareilly, Bhuj, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Goa, Gorakhpur, Hindon, Indore, Jaisalmer, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kanpur , Kolkata, Nasik, Pathankot, Patna, Prayagraj, Pune, Rajkot, Tezpur, Trichy, Trivandrum, Varanasi and Visakhapatnam have been included in the Scheme.
Krishi Udan is a convergence scheme where eight Ministries/Departments namely Ministry of Civil Aviation, Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region  would leverage their existing schemes to strengthen the logistics for transportation of Agri-produce. There is no budgetary allocation for the Scheme.
Under the Scheme, facilitating and incentivizing movement of Agri-produce by air transportation by full waiver of Landing, Parking, Terminal Navigational Landing Charges , and Route Navigation Facility Charges  for Indian freighters and Passenger to Cargo  at selected Airports of Airports Authority of India, primarily around 25 airports focusing on NER, Hilly and Tribal region and 28 airports at other areas have been included.
A total of 1,08,479 Metric Tonne perishable cargo  was handled in Financial Year 2021-22  in comparison to 84, 042 Metric Tonne handled in Financial Year 2020-21 at AAI airports. Krishi Udan is an ongoing Scheme and is reviewed from time to time in consultation with stakeholders.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen.  V. K. Singh  in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM appreciates Bajrang Punia for creating awareness regarding sports and nutrition among children
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has appreciated wrestler Bajrang Punia for creating awareness regarding sports and nutrition among children.
In reply to a tweet by Bajrang Punia, the Prime Minister said;
"बच्चों के लिए यह न केवल दिलचस्प कार्यक्रम होगा, बल्कि इससे वे खेलकूद के साथ ही जीवन में आगे बढ़ने के लिए प्रेरित होंगे। @BajrangPunia जी आपका यह प्रयास पोषण को लेकर भी उनके बीच एक नई जागरूकता पैदा करेगा।"
Ministry of Finance
GST Seva Kendras resolve complaints related to GST
CBECMITRA, a pan-India helpdesk, a national toll-free number and “GST Seva Kendras” have been established to resolve taxpayer grievances relating to Goods & Service Tax .
This was stated by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
The Minister further stated that Goods and Services Tax Network  has a helpdesk to redress taxpayer grievances regarding the GST portal, which can be accessed through telephonic calls or through Self-Help Grievance Redressal portal  https://selfservice.gstsystem.in.
Various retail institutions overcharging the customers and producing inflated bills were reported. The details of the complaints reported are as follows:
|
|
S. No.
|
|
Nature of supply / Sector
|
|
Number of cases
|
|
1.
|
|
FMCG 
|
|
42
|
|
2.
|
|
Restaurant Services
|
|
14
|
|
3.
|
|
Sanitary Wares
|
|
2
|
|
4.
|
|
Entertainment Services / Press / Cinematography
|
|
6
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of I&B and Prasar Bharati gear up for Bharat Parv 2021
Bharat Parv, a mega event is organized every year to coincide with the republic Day Celebrations. The event envisages generating patriotic fervor and showcases the rich and varied cultural diversity of the country. Bharat Parv 2021 scheduled from January 26 – 31, 2021 will be organized on a virtual platform by Ministry of Tourism, due to Covid pandemic situation. The Virtual platform will include theme pavilion for States, UT’s and various Ministries. The overall theme of Bharat Parv will also be focused towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat.
Prasar Bharati, the National Broadcaster plays significant role towards promoting cultural diversity and national integration. Prasar Bharati has also set up its stall on virtual platform of Bharat Parv and will also showcase its efforts towards Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat through highlights of some of its programmes. A glimpse of Virtual Stall is as provided below.
Publications Division will participate in the first Virtual "Bharat Parv 2021" echoing the theme of विरासत शब्दों की, भाव भारतीयता का. Celebrating the diversity and spirit of India, DPD's Virtual pavilion will exhibit a rich display of books on Art & culture, history and heritage, biographies of Builders of Modern India as also books from 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' series.
Being one of the prominent publishers of books on Gandhian thought, Publications Division will also display select titles on Mahatma Gandhi. Visitors will be able to browse through books on speeches of President, Vice President and Prime Minister and also on diverse subjects including children’s literature, national freedom movement, Rashtrapati Bhawan series among others.
In addition to showcasing its books, Publications Division will also display its four monthly journals, Yojana, Kurukshetra, Aajkal and Bal Bharati and its weekly journal Employment News. These journals of Publications Division serve as a forum of discussion on development issues and are useful for citizens and other stakeholders to get a national perspective on key initiatives of the Government of India.
Bureau of Outreach Communication is bringing content from Exhibition on 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to this edition of Bharat Parv. This will consist of photos, videos, animation and quiz with regard to the exhibition on the theme of ‘Swachch Bharat, Sashakt Bharat, Bapu ke Sapno Ka Bharat’. Video and motion animation on Mahatma Gandhi in the cut-out of India on the theme of ‘India of My Dreams’ with quotes of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighting various milestones achieved by the Government of India under ‘Sankalp se Sidhi tak’ will also be part of the display. Rare footage on various milestones in the life Mahatma Gandhi and photos and short videos/ snippets of 50th IFFI will comprise the rest of the display.
Website for Bharat Parv 2021 www.bharatparv2021.com
Cabinet
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Suriname in the field of Medical Products Regulation
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding  signed on 4th June, 2023 between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization , Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the Republic of India and Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Suriname on cooperation in the field of Medical Product Regulation. This was signed during the visit of the President of India to Suriname.
The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to facilitate a constructive dialogue on the laws and regulations pertinent to medical products as well as other relevant matters.
The MoU seeks to establish a framework for fruitful cooperation and exchange of information between the Centra! Drugs Standard Control Organization  and Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Suriname in matters relating to Medical products regulation in line with their international responsibilities. The main areas of cooperation between the two Regulatory Authorities include the following:
- Promoting an understanding between the Parties of each other's regulatory framework, requirements and processes and facilitating future regulatory strengthening initiatives for both Parties,
- Exchange of information and cooperation on Good Laboratory Practices , Good Clinical Practices , Good Manufacturing Practices  and Good Pharmacovigilance Practices .
- Recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia
- Exchange of safety information, including Pharmacovigilance, and adverse events where there is a particular safety concern related to the other Party. This includes safety concerns relating to medicines and medical devices.
- Participation in scientific and practical conferences, symposiums, seminars and forum organized by the Parties.
- Capacity building in mutually agreed areas,
- Coordination at the international fora,
- Any others areas of common interest.
The MoU will facilitate export of medical products leading to foreign exchange earnings. This would be a step towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Convergence in the regulatory practices could help in increasing export of medicines from India and consequentially could help in better employment opportunities for educated professionals in the pharma sector.
The signed MoU between the regulatory authorities of the two countries will facilitate better understanding of medical products regulation with regard to pharmaceuticals including raw materials for pharmaceutical use, biological products, medical devices and cosmetic products.
The MoU will promote exchange of information and cooperation in areas pertinent to medical products and relevant administrative and regulatory matters within the jurisdiction of the parties.
Ministry of Finance
India, ADB sign $125 million loan to improve water supply and sanitation in Uttarakhand
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank  today signed a $125 million loan to improve access to safe and affordable drinking water supply and citywide inclusive sanitation services in Dehradun and Nainital cities in the state of Uttarakhand.
Mr. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, signed for the Government of India the agreement for the Uttarakhand Integrated and Resilient Urban Development Project while Mr Takeo Konishi, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, signed for ADB.
After signing the loan agreement, Shri Mishra said that the project addresses the need for upgrading urban services in the fast-expanding capital city of Dehradun and Nainital which attracts thousands of tourists daily. Shri Mishra said that the improved water and sanitation services will also promote better hygiene practices that will help protect people from future pandemic and epidemic diseases.
“The project complements previous ADB support to improve water supply and sanitation service  in the two cities with a focus on ensuring high-quality service delivery and a citywide sanitation approach to make it cost-effective,” said Mr. Konishi. “Computerized maintenance and management systems will be introduced to advance the system operation and asset management while ensuring users’ satisfaction”, added Mr Konishi.
Many innovative solutions like soak pit reuse and utilization for groundwater recharging, bus mobile toilets with gender-sensitive and inclusive design features, rainwater harvesting, and compact design and pre-fabricated sewerage treatment facilities will enhance climate resilience of the project.
The project will construct 136 kilometers  of water pipe system to replace defective water networks in South Dehradun to ensure reliable and continuous water supply to benefit an estimated 40,000 people, including 4,000 urban poor and vulnerable groups. Water meters will also be installed in about 5,400 households to support efficient water use and consumption billing.
In addition, the project will establish sewage treatment plants in Dehradun, supported by 256 km of enclosed underground sewer networks and 117 km of storm water drainage networks benefiting an estimated 138,000 residents, including 15,000 urban poor and vulnerable people. A total of 17,410 households in Dehradun will be connected to this sewerage system. Replacing the aging sewage treatment plant with a new one using advanced technology, and trunk sewer rehabilitation in Nainital, the project will ensure resilient and reliable sanitation services to the entire population of about 154,000 people.
ADB will provide a $250,000 technical assistance  grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund and another $750,000 grant from its Climate Change Fund to further strengthen climate-resilient urban planning and development of the state by carrying out a thorough assessment, supporting science-based decision making, developing smart climate resilient urban planning tools, and capacity-building activities.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Reduce,Rebate and Reuse Milk Pouches to save Environment
(A high level meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying to review the milk situation in the country today. The meeting was attended by senior officers of State Cooperative Dairy Federations/, CEOs/Managing Directors of Private Dairies, Representatives from Ministry of Women & Child Development, School Education and Literacy, Commerce & Industries, National Dairy Development Board & APEDA.
In view of announcement by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Independence Day, AMUL and Mother Dairy were requested to formulate action plan/protocol to recycle milk pouches and share with Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying for circulation to other Milk Federations for implementation.
The Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying requested Major Dairy Federations like Gujarat Milk Federation , Karnataka Milk Federation , Punjab Milk Federation , Maharashtra Milk Federation  to encourage reuse of plastic milk pouches, in a campaign mode, with 3R strategy – Reduce, Rebate and Reuse. i.e. REDUCE consumption of plastics by subsidizing price of 1 litre pack over ½ litre pack, REBATE to customers for bringing back plastics, REUSE of pouches for users such as Road construction, recyclers.
Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairying requested all Cooperative Milk Federations and Private Dairies to at least halve plastic use by Gandhi Jayanti . Media was requested to start a campaign like Swachcha Bharat to discourage plastics and thereby improve environment.
The meeting also reviewed the availability, supply, prices and export/import issues with the milk processors. The milk procurement price was observed to have increased by Rs.1-2 across the country. The representatives were requested to focus on the quality aspects of milk and reduction in cost of production. The views of the stakeholders present in the meeting were sought on breeding, feeding, disease management, traceability etc. to draw the policy to double productivity, exports and farmers income by next 5 years.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Establishment of the Development Council for Footwear and Leather Industry
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade  has issued a notification, constituting Development Council for Footwear & Leather Industry . Shri R K Gupta will chair DCFLI for 2 years. 24 other members have also been nominated.
The Development Council for Footwear and Leather Industry has been established for the formulation and implementation of promotional and developmental measures for the growth of labour intensive footwear and leather sectors in India. To boost domestic production and encourage exports, the Developmental Council is envisaged to play a very proactive role in preparing a futuristic vision for development, designing and manufacturing of high quality world-class footwear and leather products in India.
A copy of order published in Gazette of India is enclosed.